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Player News - Monday, August 5th, 2013

Jose Quintana allowed one run over 6 2/3 innings in the White Sox's 8-1 win over the Yankees on Monday.

Quintana had a shutout going until the seventh, when a Brett Gardner sac fly got him pulled in favor of Matt Lindstrom. He moved to 6-3 in his 23 starts this season. 14 times he's gotten a no-decision, partly because he pitches for a poor offensive team and partly because he tends not to work too deeply into games.

Rays placed OF Desmond Jennings on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left middle finger.

Jennings suffered the injury on Saturday when he jammed the finger on a hard slide into second base. Initial X-rays showed no fracture, but a subsequent exam revealed a small break. It's not clear at this point how long he'll be out. Sam Fuld and Jason Bourgeois will handle center field while Jennings is out.

Andy Pettitte struggled against the White Sox on Monday, giving up seven runs and 11 hits in 2 2/3 innings.

Many of this hits were pretty soft, but they were getting harder as the game went along and the Yankees had little choice but to pull him in the third. It was Pettitte's shortest start since July 18, 2010 against the Rays (3 ER in 2 1/3 IP) and the first in which he allowed seven runs and pitched fewer than four innings since July 1, 2007 against the A's (8 R, 7 ER in 1 2/3 IP). Pettitte isn't much of an option as a mixed-league starter right now.

Assuming he makes it through that with no setbacks, he'll be activated on Friday to serve as the Brewers' designated hitter for their series in Seattle. Ramirez has been limited to 54 games this season due to a nagging knee issue.

That's the day after he's first eligible to return. Gallardo has made steady progress with his strained hamstring, as he long-tossed Saturday and is expected to throw off the mound later this week. "He should fall right back into that rotation," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said.

Alex Rios collected four RBI with two singles and a walk against the Yankees on Monday.

That's more RBI than he had in his previous 14 games combined. Rios has kept his average up, but he's struggled to hit for power of late. He has just one homer and four doubles in 30 games since the beginning of July.

Alexei Ramirez finished with four hits and two RBI against the Yankees on Monday.

Ramirez remains stuck on one homer for the season, but he's been consistently hitting singles and doubles since Opening Day. Unfortunately, because the rest of the lineup has been so weak, all it's gotten him is 45 runs scored and 29 RBI in 110 games.

Vernon Wells went 3-for-4 in his first ever start at first base Monday versus the White Sox.

Wells looked OK at first base, even saving Alex Rodriguez an error with a diving grab of a throw. Maybe the Yankees should start him at the hot corner next; he could be their 10th starting third baseman of the season.

Alex Rodriguez went 1-for-4 as the Yankees' cleanup hitter against the White Sox in his 2013 debut Monday.

His hit, a blooper that fell in front of left fielder Casper Wells, came in his first at-bat. Rodriguez hit medium-deep flyballs in his next two at-bats before striking out looking in the last. He looked pretty good while running and his cuts in the batter's box weren't all that bad. He should be back in there on Tuesday.

Brett Oberholtzer allowed just four hits over seven innings and combined with two relievers on a shutout of the Red Sox on Monday.

Of course he did. Oberholtzer went the first 6 1/3 innings without a strikeout tonight before getting both Stephen Drew and Brandon Snyder to strand a runner on third base. He now has a 2.53 ERA in two starts and three relief appearances for the Astros. This after he posted his usual 4+ ERA in Triple-A in 16 starts; he has finished with an ERA under 4.00 since he was in A ball in 2010. We wouldn't trust him in AL-only leagues.

Josh Fields struck out all four Red Sox he faced to pick up his first career save in a 2-0 game Monday.

Fields fanned Mike Napoli to strand runners on the corners in the eighth and then got Jonny Gomes, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Stephen Drew in the ninth. Maybe he wouldn't have had so much luck against Boston's more discerning hitters -- his big weapon tonight was a high fastball out of the zone -- but he certainly got the job done against the free swingers and he may well have earned himself the next save chance the Astros generate. Those desperate for saves can give him a try. Just be warned: he entered tonight with a 6.27 ERA.

Kendrick was hurt when he collided with right fielder Collin Cowgill on what turned out to be a two-run triple for Mitch Moreland. His knee appeared to be hyperextended and he had to be helped off the field. It certainly looked like a probable DL injury, but we'll have to see what the Angels say.

John Lackey allowed two runs in six innings and struck out 10 in a loss to the Astros on Monday.

Lackey injured his ankle on the final play of the second inning, but he was able to stay in and strike out nine batters afterwards. He's struck out 57 batters over 54 2/3 innings in his last eight starts.

Jonathan Villar went 2-for-2 with a walk and swiped three of the Astros' six bases against the Red Sox on Monday.

The Astros were also caught stealing twice. Villar, though, was a perfect 3-for-3 and is now 9-for-11 in 14 games since his callup. He's not going to help anywhere except steals, especially now that he's been removed from the leadoff spot, but he doesn't need to if he keeps running like this.

L.J. Hoes went 2-for-3 with a double, a steal and two runs scored against the Red Sox on Monday.

The Astros have started Hoes in four of six games since acquiring him in the Bud Norris deal, and they brought him off the bench in the other two. There's little fantasy upside here -- he has very little power and he's not all that good of a basestealer -- but he has a little value in AL-only leagues at the moment.

Jeremy Guthrie hurled his second complete-game shutout of the season as the Royals smoked the Twins 13-0 on Monday.

Guthrie never had a shutout until throwing one against the White Sox on May 5. This makes two, and it's his fourth straight win after a pre-All-Star break slump. He's now 12-7 with a 3.96 ERA. It's the first time since mid-June that his ERA has been under 4.00.

Kevin Correia was lit up for six runs in two innings by the Royals on Monday.

It's the second time in three starts that Correia has given up six runs while getting no more than six outs. The Twins don't have anyone they want to move into the rotation at the moment, so they'll likely stick with their veteran. Obviously, he's entirely without fantasy value.

Eric Hosmer went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and five RBI against the Twins on Monday.

It was Hosmer's first career five-RBI game. He had four RBI on four occasions, all coming in a two-month span in 2011. Hosmer now has 12 homers this season. All but one of those have come since June 13.

Mike Moustakas had four hits, including a double, and two RBI in Monday's rout of the Twins.

Moustakas is batting .322 with four homers and 11 RBI in 59 at-bats since the All-Star break. Unfortunately, he's scored just six runs in that span, but that comes with the territory when one hits in the bottom half of the Royals order.

Zack Greinke yielded two runs in 6 1/3 innings Monday in a victory over the Cardinals.

Greinke proved to be the difference offensively, delivering an RBI single off Adam Wainwright in the top of the seventh. That gave the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. Greinke would give back one run in the bottom of the frame, but the Dodgers held on to win 3-2. It was Greinke's first win in four starts.

Paco Rodriguez was perfect for two innings Monday and picked up a save against the Cardinals with Kenley Jansen unavailable.

Rodriguez came in after Ronald Belisario hit David Freese with a pitch to begin the eighth. He got Jon Jay to pop up a bunt and then induced a double-play ball from Tony Cruz before pitching a flawless ninth. It was his second save, the other coming in June in relief of a struggling Brandon League. He'll continue to be used as a lefty specialist for the most part, but he's just fine against righties, too.

Alex Avila hit a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to lead the Tigers to a 4-2 win over the Indians on Monday.

The Tigers got all of their runs in the ninth; Victor Martinez delivered an RBI single prior to Avila's blast. The homer was Avila's third in five games. He's hit .256 with four homers and 23 RBI in 78 at-bats since the beginning of July. Before that, he .172 with five homers and 13 RBI in 163 at-bats.

Anibal Sanchez fanned 11 while allowing two runs over 7 2/3 innings Monday against the Indians.

Sanchez has been all over the map with strikeouts this season; he's had the high total of any pitcher in 2013 (17 against the Braves on April 26) as well as 12- and now 11-K games. On the other hand, he entered tonight having struck out nine in his three starts, though he was effective in all of those games. He's allowed a total of four runs over 28 2/3 innings in his last four starts.

Corey Kluber was denied a win after shutting out the Tigers for 7 1/3 innings on Monday.

Kluber allowed six hits, walked one and struck out six before leaving with a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately, Chris Perez blew the save in the ninth, leaving Kluber with his fourth straight no-decision. He's 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA in seven starts since the beginning of July.

Chris Perez gave up four runs without retiring a batter to take a blown save and a loss Monday against the Tigers.

Perez had allowed just two runs in 19 innings since coming off the DL in June, going 11-for-11 in save chances, before tonight's little implosion. That he was pitching for a third straight day might have had something to do with it. It's nothing that's going to hurt his job status... just his ERA.

Drew Stubbs went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and committed an error against the Tigers on Monday.

Stubbs has been losing playing time even with his big defensive advantage in right field; errors won't help his cause. He should be the Indians' fourth outfielder for as long as Ryan Raburn continues to produce.

"I'm not ruling it out," said Garcia. The lefty had surgery in May to repair a labrum tear in his pitching shoulder, and his rehab is apparently going well enough that he thinks he might be able to make a late-season return. Of course, Garcia is still not ready to throw off a mound and the reality is that a return this season would be an extreme longshot. It looks like he'll have no trouble being 100 percent for spring training, though. "That would certainly be exciting, but let's just take baby steps towards that," Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said of a possible late-season return of Garcia. "I have heard he's had a very good rehab to date and I think that's great."

With Craig Kimbrel in need of a day off, Jordan Walden stepped into the closer's role and pitched a scoreless ninth for a save against the Nationals on Monday.

Walden has a 2.37 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 38 innings out of the pen for the Braves. They've definitely been the winner in the Walden-for-Tommy Hanson swap with the Angels so far. For Walden, it was his second save in two years after he saved 32 games in 2011.

Madson has never been able to get over the hump in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and the Angels obviously think he wasn't going to make an impact this season. The righty will turn 33 later this month and will enter free agency this winter with plenty of question marks. He'll surely have to settle for a one-year, incentive-laden contract.

Stephen Strasburg was left with a no-decision after allowing two runs in seven innings and striking out nine Braves on Monday.

Strasburg was having some difficulties with Rob Drake in the early going; three times in the first two innings, he started walking off the mound thinking he'd get a called strike three to end the frame and three times he was denied. In his defense, the first two were strikes, while the third was probably inside. Strasburg and Drake worked out their differences after that, and Strasburg ended up having a nice night, albeit not one that got him a win.

The Angels had hoped Bourjos would be ready for a rehab assignment this week, but it sounds like next week is the likelier scenario. The outfielder has been on the shelf since June 30 with a fractured right wrist.

Gorzelanny had to leave his last outing after being struck on the pitching elbow by a line drive. He hasn't been placed on the DL at this point, but the Brewers will need someone to fill in for him Wednesday, and it appears that Narveson is the choice. Narveson has pitched better at Triple-A Nashville of late, tossing seven shutout innings in his last outing. He'll need to be added to the 40-man roster.

It was reported Sunday that CarGo was likely DL-bound due to his nagging sprained right middle finger, but apparently that's not the case. The Rockies are convinced that Gonzalez won't make the injury worse by playing through it, so it's all about pain tolerance at this point. It's not clear if he'll be in the lineup Tuesday.

Viciedo had to leave Monday's game after jamming his thumb on an attempt at a diving catch, but X-rays came back negative and he'll be fine. Alejandro De Aza took his place in the lineup, moving Casper Wells from center to left field.

Rowland-Smith boasts a 1.58 ERA and 42/14 K/BB ratio over 45 2/3 relief innings for Triple-A Pawtucket, so he could have drawn some interest had he opted out. The 30-year-old will stay put for now but can change his mind at any time.

He'll get his pitch count up to 75-80 in the outing, so the left-hander might only need the one rehab start before rejoining the Angels' rotation. Vargas has been out since mid-June after having surgery to remove a blood clot from his left armpit.

The Giants were considering giving Vogelsong another rehab start, but he convinced them he was ready by allowing just one run over his last 11 rehab innings. Though he has put up a 7.19 ERA with the big club this season, Vogelsong is worth a shot in deeper mixed leagues if he's on your waiver wire.

It will be the first time he's been on the bump since July 14. Buchholz was cleared to throw off a mound after getting through a flat-ground session Sunday at "about 80 percent intensity." There's no timetable for when the righty will begin a rehab assignment, but the Red Sox aren't counting on him before late August, at the earliest.

Taveras has been shut down since mid July due to continued issues with a high ankle sprain. The 21-year-old is one of the best prospects in the game, but he'll need to get back to 100 percent before he's a legitimate consideration for a September call-up. His true impact likely won't be felt until 2014 at this point.

Willingham will play multiple games in the minors, but is expected to be activated Saturday if there are no setbacks. The 34-year-old has been sidelined since arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in early July.

Yankees placed SS Derek Jeter on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 3, with a right calf strain.

An MRI on Sunday revealed a mild strain in Jeter's calf, so he'll now get some extended rest. It's been a frustrating year for the 39-year-old shortstop, as he has been limited to just five games due to various injuries. Eduardo Nunez figures to see most of the playing time at shortstop during his absence.

The Rangers designated Adam Rosales for assignment in order to make room on the active roster. Butler, 27, was batting .290/.375/.437 with 10 homers in 97 games this season in Triple-A. He and Engel Beltre could have a chance to show what they can do now that Nelson Cruz is suspended for the rest of the season.

Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers last week and is expected to pitch in the minors for a couple of weeks as he gets into game-shape following Tommy John surgery. The bearded reliever should join the big club later this month.

Carpenter wasn't originally expected to pitch at all this season, but he managed to ramp up a throwing program and even go out on a minor league rehab assignment. However, he shut things down late last month after feeling renewed numbness in his pitching hand. It sounds like a comeback will have to wait until 2014, if at all.

And the Yankees aren't wasting any time, as Rodriguez will start at third base and bat cleanup in his return Monday night against the White Sox. It will be his first game in the majors since hip surgery in January. The 38-year-old was handed a 211-game suspension by MLB on Monday, but he will be allowed to play until his appeal is heard. Yankees third baseman have a major-league worst .557 OPS this season, so while many would like to see him gone, it won't take much for him to be an improvement.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that it's the groin strain from Saturday that's still giving him issues, not his right hand injury from Sunday. The NL Player of the Month for July could be back in there Tuesday.

Werth left Saturday's game after tweaking his groin and was hit on his right hand on a check-swing on Sunday, but it's not enough to keep him out of the lineup. "If he can go, I need him," said Nationals manager Davey Johnson.

Ramirez was originally expected to undergo an MRI after he jammed his right shoulder on Sunday, so it's a good sign that it's not necessary right now. However, he's "still sore," so there's a chance things could change if the discomfort lingers.

Infante, out since July 4 with an ankle sprain, is expected to play through Wednesday before being re-evaluated. The 31-year-old second baseman had a minor setback late last month, but he appears to be back on track.

Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games for purchasing PEDs from Biogenesis and allegedly attempting to obstruct MLB's investigation. However, because he appealed the suspension, he will be eligible to play until an arbitrator makes a ruling. In other words, any penalty will be served until 2014 and beyond. Weiner said Monday that the union "agrees with his decision to fight his suspension" and believes that "the Commissioner has not acted appropriately under the Basic Agreement."

Parnell hasn't pitched last Tuesday due to neck discomfort. It's possible he'll require a stint on the disabled list. While David Aardsma hasn't pitched particularly well recently, he's the most likely alternative for the closer role.

Ramirez left Sunday's series finale at Wrigley Field after falling into the stands and jamming his right shoulder. He was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday morning. The results of that test have not yet been revealed.

Texas lost Nelson Cruz to a 50-game PED suspension on Monday, so Beltre will help provide some needed outfield depth. The 23-year-old has some speed and some power and could take on value in AL-only fantasy formats if the Rangers find him enough playing time.

That's a total of 211 games for purchasing PEDs from the Miami-based Biogenesis clinic and then trying to obstruct MLB's investigation. Rodriguez has appealed the suspension and will have his case heard by independent arbitrator Fredric Horowitz at some point over the next three weeks. He is expected to make his 2013 regular-season debut for the Yankees on Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

Neal was designated for assignment by New York last week to clear a 40-man roster spot for Curtis Granderson, who was returning from the disabled list. Neal was batting .307/.368/.401 with two homers and two steals in 72 games this season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Cabrera's name showed up in the Biogenesis clinic documents, but it was determined that he already served his punishment last year for the PEDs that he used and purchased. He is on the disabled list currently with a knee injury. Bartolo Colon has also avoided another ban.

Martinez was part of the big Biogenesis bust and won't play again in 2013. The former top prospect posted a promising .325/.394/.554 batting line in 94 plate appearances this season with the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate and will carry a clean slate into 2014.

Bastardo is one of the newest names connected to Biogenesis, as his name wasn't floated publicly in regard to the scandal until FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal passed along the news. The 27-year-old left-hander has a 2.32 ERA and 47/21 K/BB ratio over 42 2/3 innings this season, but he won't pitch again until 2014. The 27-year-old will be arbitration-eligible for the second time this winter.

Montero was involved in the purchase of performance-enhancing drugs from the Miami-based Biogenesis clinic. The 23-year-old has been a disappointment in more ways than one since joining the Mariners via trade from the Yankees. He'll take the rest of the summer off.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal had the information first. Valdespin was one of the players who purchased performance-enhancing drugs from the Biogenesis clinic, though his name wasn't known publicly until Monday. The 25-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas last month and will end his season with a weak .188/.250/.316 batting line in 144 plate appearances with the Mets. He has likely worn out his welcome in Queens.

Cervelli could have appealed the sentence, but Major League Baseball apparently has stacks of evidence from Anthony Bosch and the Miami-based Biogenesis clinic so it's doubtful that taking that course of action would have ended well. Cervelli is on the disabled list currently with soreness in his right finger and elbow. He'll look to get himself healthy (using only natural means) heading into the 2014 season.

Escalona had some sort of involvement in the Miami-based Biogenesis clinic and is now done for the remainder of the 2013 season. The 29-year-old left-hander posted an ugly 6.60 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 15 innings this summer for the Astros' Double-A affiliate in Corpus Christi.

Cabrera will not appear in another game this season but he'll be a full-go for the start of 2014. The 26-year-old shortstop posted a career-high .736 OPS this season alongside 37 stolen bases and 54 runs scored. He will be arbitration-eligible heading into 2014.

That's the word from FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. Peralta, who was found to have purchased performance-enhancing drugs from the Biogenesis clinic, will miss the remainder of the 2013 season. He batted .305/.361/.461 with 11 home runs and 54 RBI in 104 games this summer. The 31-year-old shortstop will be a free agent this winter.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports was the first to report the news. Cruz will be a free agent this winter, so he has decided to get his Biogenesis punishment out of the way and enter the 2014 season with a clean slate. The 33-year-old will finish up the 2013 campaign having registered a cool .841 OPS with 27 home runs and 76 RBI in 108 games. For now, it seems that only Alex Rodriguez will file a suspension appeal.

Marte was batting .301/.367/.526 with 19 home runs and 74 RBI in 96 games this season for the York Revolution of the independent Atlantic League. The 29-year-old hasn't played in the majors since the 2010 campaign.

Cruz fired the ACES sports agency on Monday morning, the same day that he is expected to accept a 50-game suspension for purchasing performance-enhancing drugs from the Miami-based Biogenesis clinic. Cruz, 33, will be eligible for free agency this November.

Cruz and 12 other players (many of them ACES clients) are expected to be suspended by Major League Baseball on Monday afternoon for connection to PEDs. Cruz could appeal the suspension and continue playing for the Rangers while his appeal is heard. Or he might just go ahead and take whatever punishment is given to him.

Jennings jammed the finger Saturday on a hard slide into second base and was not available for Sunday's series finale with the Giants. The dynamic 26-year-old outfielder will be reexamined on Monday afternoon. He fully expects to avoid the 15-day disabled list.

Cahill is scheduled to make what might be his final minor league rehab start on Monday with Triple-A Reno. If it goes well, he should get clearance from the D'Backs medical staff. The right-hander has been on the disabled list since July 1 with a painful right hip injury. He then tweaked his shoulder while playing catch on July 8.

Harrison allowed just one run over 3 2/3 innings Sunday at Double-A Frisco, but the Rangers want to continue to work him back slowly. The left-hander has not pitched in a major league game since April 6 and has made only two total starts for the Rangers this season.

But the All-Star catcher still hasn't been cleared for full baseball activities. "There's days when (the training staff) has pushed him pretty good and he's achy the next day," said Matheny. "Their concentration has been on getting the swelling out." Molina has been on the 15-day disabled list since July 31 with a right knee sprain.

The athletic center fielder is on track to begin a minor league rehab assignment this week and should be back with the Angels by mid-August. Bourjos has been on the shelf since June 30 with a fractured right wrist.

Parnell was unavailable for a fifth straight game on Sunday due to stiffness in his neck. He's going to be examined by a specialist on Monday to determine the extent of the injury. "I mean, he feels better, but not enough to pitch him for sure," said Mets manager Terry Collins. David Aardsma hasn't pitched well lately but could be a productive stash in deeper mixed fantasy leagues.